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Politics of bygone era are greatly missed

As we enter a prolonged period of ugly political rhetoric and hyperbole, I recall bygone elections when leadership and vision were the hallmarks and platforms of candidates seeking national office.

Today, were too thin on candidates possessing those qualities and voters who can distinguish the difference between showmanship and competency.

Inevitably, our country has morphed from one with a proud, can-do attitude embracing personal responsibility and ambition to one that manifests an entitlement mentality.

The privilege of representing constituents and casting a vote has been cheapened by politicians who choose money over principle and special interest agendas over the concerns of the citizenry. November may indeed prove to be the harbinger of our future.

Does our country return to the values that made it great, or do we continue our decline to irrelevance?

I miss those bygone days when leaders displayed courage and vision. I miss leaders who spoke the truth and accepted responsibility for mistakes.

President John F. Kennedy had his Bay of Pigs and President Dwight D. Eisenhower had his U-2 debacle. Nevertheless, Americans respect the truth from their leaderseven if it hurts. I especially miss the pride of Americans young and old who rose to Kennedys challenge, Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. The antithesis of that challenge permeates politics today.

We cant blame the politicians who got us here; we can blame only ourselves for electing them.

The process is woefully broken and needs to be fixed. That process begins with an intelligent electorate committed to its civic responsibility.